98v70 N/a Maintenance Questions

[jdlc]

Hi,

I did the plugs, coolant & brake fluid flush last year, about 4k miles ago, so I'm all set with that. What I haven't done ever in eight years/87k miles is tb/EGR cleaning, although I would wipe off any 'reachable' deposit in the TB whenever I replace or clean the flame trap about once every two years.

Background: I live in Connecticut, and hit very few dusty road. The car is running fine as ever, 22/23 mpg mostly short drives, city but light traffic.

1) Is it a good thing to do the tb/EGR now? Am I in danger of a clogging the EGR 'hole' where the TB is installed anytime soon?

Also:

2) Is valve adjustment which per my records was done at the dealership at 30k a good thing to have now? Also on the same $330+ bill, transmission kick-down cable shift point adjustment, anyone? Is this the same as the 'calibration' requiring Volvo special tool demonstarted in PNP replacement write-up in Bay13?

3) Oxygen sensor, replace only when bad? Remove & clean by 'fire', or replace now and get better mileage. Thoughts? Do I need special socket wrench for this?

4) eCode headlight lens, is it easy to install, do you have to remove the bumper? Does anybody know if it is a clear lens? (fp groton sells this).

5) Is sway bar urethane bushing available for 98 V70, I see it for 850's, is it the same and fits V70? If I replace just the said bushing, would I need alignment?

6) Is koni shocks adjustable manually done? How do you adjust the rear then? I wish Rancho electronically adjustable shocks are available for Volvo.

7) Top motor support, I see the rubber sort of 'giving in' though not really broken, any reason to replace now?

You can tell I have not much to do this long week-end, will just stay in New England due to prohivitive gas price... planning to flush the steering fluid tomorrow morning (never been done) using Mobil1 ATF.

Many thanks in advance.

[Bay13]

Comments for questions

1) Your car doesn't have an EGR, so nothing to worry about there. I'd keep the TB clean, like you have been doing.

2) There is no valve adjustment on your car, they are hydraulic lifters, no adjustment. There is no kick down cable adjustment, as there is no kick down cable on your car. The PNP is a switch on top of the trans, that on the 850 needs replacing now and then. Haven't seen many on the S/V/C70s.

3) Leave the O2 sensors alone (no FIRE treatment). If you notice your mileage dropping, or get a code then replace them.

4)Don't know if the lens is clear or not, but easy to install, no bumper removal required.

5)No bushing relacement for the sway bar, it's part of your bar, not replacable.

6)Koni adjustables are done manually. the front with a key that comes with the strut, the rears are adjusted with the shock it'self. You take the bottom off the car and make the adjustment per the instructions, that come with the shock.

7) If it's not broken don't fix it, unless you have money and the desire to work on your car, which isn't a bad thing.

8)Have a nice holiday up in New England.

[jdlc]

Thanks Rich.

Now that I'm an educated Volvo owner, I'm still scratching my head at how I got billed for hundreds of dollars for non-existent services (valve adjustment, kick-down shift points) for regular-interval services which I deligently did for this car for the first 50k - the warranty period. But on the bright side, maybe I'm reaping the benefit of regular maintenance when the car was new now.

I'm surprised I don't have an EGR, I was looking at your write up in Bay13 and assumed I have that little hole prone to clogging as you stated - since I haven't pulled out the TB, I never actually seen its absence.

And no wonder I havn't seen sway bar bushing for this car... It must be vulcanized to the metal.

I just realized Vic Rocha sells vinyl plastic headlamp protector thru threads here, I'll give that a try first, before venturing on the eCode lenses.

Have a safe long week-end and thanks again, REPL figther.